KOTA KINABALU, Malaysia: Enforcement authorities have seized halal-certified chicken that was stored in the same container as pork in Inanam, Kota Kinabalu. A team from the General Operations Force (GOF) and Sabah Veterinary Services Department (DVS) investigated the warehouse after receiving a tip-off on Tuesday.
Boxes of frozen chicken with the Halal logo were found to be kept alongside the boxes of pork in a refrigerated container at the storehouse premises.
The team confiscated the container and handed it over to the Sabah office of the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) for further investigation.
Georgie Abas, state director of KPDN, said they found 847 boxed of frozen halal-certified chicken meat.
“The items are estimated to be worth RM121,968 while the container is valued at RM30,000,” he said in a statement, Wednesday.
“The caretaker of the premises, a local man aged 28, has been questioned,” he added. The pork was seized by DVS for further action, Abas said.
Authorities are investigating the matter under the Trade Description Order (Halal Definition) 2011 for the storage of goods considered halal and those that are not.
Halal Chicken Stored With Pork! What Are The Penalties Under Malaysian Laws?
Abas said organizations found guilty under this law will face a fine of up to RM5 million, which can go up to a maximum of RM10 million for repeat and subsequent offences.
Those found guilty of this offence face a maximum fine of RM1 million and a prison sentence of up to three years, or both.
For subsequent offences, they would be fined up to RM5mil or spend five years behind bars, or both, if found guilty.
For subsequent offences, if convicted, they face fines of up to RM5 million or five years of imprisonment, or both.
He urged those with information about any misconduct or unethical practices by traders related to the use of the Halal logo to contact the ministry via WhatsApp at https://www.wasap.my/60198488000 or its portal http://eaduan.kpdn.gov.my.
They can also contact the call center at 1-800-886-800 or send a text message using the Ez ADU KPDN smartphone app, he said.
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